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LOT 87
Fine Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 65523, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The
Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century and is easily
the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. Offered here is a fine,
early example of the legendary Peacemaker in .45 LC. In the words of Colt author and expert David
Brown, “[T]he Colt Single Action Army .45 was ‘the soldier’s friend’ throughout the remaining years of
the Indian Wars in the West. Adopted also with equal enthusiasm by civilians, it was the pet and the ‘good right
arm’ of lawman and outlaw alike on every American frontier of its era” (“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action
Army,” page 70). This example of the iconic Peacemaker in .45 LC has a barrel with the one-line Hartford address
on top, the three-line patent dates marking on the left side of the frame, “45 CAL” marked on the left side of the
trigger guard, and plain one piece walnut grip. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger
guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Hartley &
Graham of New York City on June 4, 1881 in .45 caliber chambering, blue finish, and type of stocks and barrel length not
listed, a common indication of walnut and 7 1/2 inches as these were standard features. This was a 50 gun shipment.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% original bright blue finish with loss on the barrel due to flaking with the exposed areas having a smooth brown and gray
patina. The ejector housing retains 70% of the original bright blue finish with mostly a smooth brown patina on the outer edge. Most of the original finish
remains in the cylinder flutes with a mix of smooth gray and original finish on the flat surfaces. The trigger guard retains 75% original finish with some flaking
on the bow, the top of the backstrap and butt retain most of the bright original blue finish with the balance having a smooth gray patina with streaks of blue.
The front strap has thinned to a smooth silver gray. The frame and hammer show most of the original bright case colors with small areas fading to silver.
There is some pin prick type pitting on the hammer sides. The grips are very fine with most of the original varnish, some mild lower edge wear and a few
minor dents and dings. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The TTT Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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